3M Company said Monday it has decided to invest in Zephyr Technology, a developer of real-time devices that monitor human performance through smart-fabric sensor technology for the healthcare, emergency, sports, NASA’s Ames Research Center, U.S. Special Forces and industrial markets.
Zephyr specializes in collecting data from their smart, biometric fabric sensors to monitor people while working, in the field or at home.
While the series C financing round also included investments from Alsop Louie Partners and Motorola solutions Venture Capital, the amount of the investment made by 3M subsidiary of 3M New Ventures has not been released.
The 3M Company, formerly known as the Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company, has over 80,000 employees and produces more than 55,000 products, including car care, medical and fire protection products, as well as electronic materials such as circuits and optical films.
3M has operations in more than 60 countries and can be found internationally with almost 30 manufacturing operations.
These companies can combine their products, technology and manufacturing solutions to form innovative services that are important to clients.
“Measuring the performance and condition of people, workers and patients is becoming increasingly important from a safety and performance standpoint,” said Stefan Gabriel, President of 3M New Ventures.
Bob Anderson, Vice President and General Manager of 3M Security Systems Division agreed with Gabriel adding that this new investment with Zephyr will enhance 3M’s customer solutions. “We look forward to collaborating with Zephyr Technology to bring unique applications of physiological and biomechanical sensing and monitoring to our products that further enhance the safety and well-being of our customers across the markets we serve,” he said.
“We see 3M as an important strategic investment and collaboration partner and are excited to explore growing opportunities in new markets where physiological status monitoring can be combined with existing and new 3M products and markets to create opportunities for both companies,” he said.
3M’s New Ventures arm has been selectively seeking new companies, and is known for discovering the next big thing. Zephyr’s new venture will hopefully turn out to be an amazing, worthwhile investment.
Edited by
Braden Becker
